By Newspot Nigeria Staff Writer
NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A quiet real estate transaction in the small but surging city of Nashua has ignited a storm of controversy in the United States, stirring debate over foreign ownership, national security, and critical infrastructure.
Nongfu Spring, China’s largest bottled water company, recently acquired a 23-acre commercial property in Nashua, near the sensitive Pennichuck Water Works system, for a reported $67 million. The acquisition has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers and residents alike, amid concerns that the land lies too close to military installations and provides potential access to the city’s water resources.
The move comes just as Nashua—alongside neighboring Manchester—has been named the hottest housing market in America by a joint Wall Street Journal and Realtor.com study. With rising demand due to proximity to Boston, excellent schools, and stable job opportunities, home prices in Nashua surged to a median listing price of $525,000 in June 2025, an 8.3% year-on-year increase. The region remains firmly a seller’s market, defying national trends.
But the headline-grabbing sale to Nongfu Spring has cast a shadow over the city’s real estate boom.
Zhong Shanshan, the billionaire founder of Nongfu Spring and China’s richest man, has recently faced criticism in his home country for publicly questioning Beijing’s pricing policies. Despite this, many in the U.S.—especially in the New Hampshire legislature—remain skeptical of his company’s intentions.
Republican State Senator Kevin Avard raised concerns about proximity to the New Boston Space Force Station and warned of espionage risks. “We must treat all purchases by agents of hostile nations—especially those involving water supply or land near critical facilities—with the utmost caution,” Avard stated.
Although Nongfu Spring has withdrawn its original application to acquire full water rights, it still plans to build a bottling plant, raising concerns over long-term control and water dependency.
Responding to growing outrage, Nashua Mayor James Donchess clarified that the city was neither involved in nor notified about the sale. “We only became aware of this potential project when Nongfu submitted a construction permit application,” Donchess said, adding that the permit was later withdrawn.
To prevent similar future sales, New Hampshire has enacted a law prohibiting land purchases by agents of hostile nations including China, Iran, and Syria. However, this measure came too late to stop the Nongfu acquisition.
As questions swirl over foreign influence, Nashua’s rise to national housing prominence may now be accompanied by a contentious debate over sovereignty and security. Whether this will impact investor confidence or prompt further legal restrictions remains to be seen.
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